Shadowing Practice: Короткометражный фильм «Подарок» (The Gift) c Умой Турман (Uma Thurman) в главной роли - Learn English Speaking with Video
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113 sentences
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1
Dear guests, our story will be closing in five minutes.
2
Thank you for visiting Wonder Mart.
3
Is that a rabbit over there?
4
Excuse me?
5
Oh, this is so beautiful.
6
I'm saying that this is unfair, my dear.
7
It looks too wonderful for someone who'll just tear into it all in a second without even looking at it.
8
Oh, my.
9
Thank you, ma 'am.
10
That's just the cover.
11
The important thing is always on the inside.
12
It's an electric shaver with a trimmer.
13
I'm sure it'll make someone very happy.
14
Yes.
15
Thank you so much.
16
Good evening, Miss Anderson.
17
Oh.
18
Mr. Grimm.
19
John.
20
It's just John.
21
Oh, yes.
22
Ah, I'm sorry.
23
I need practice to get used to it.
24
Sure, it's...
25
Um...
26
What can I do for you?
27
Oh, unfortunately, while you were away, we ran out of your favorite paper, but I did keep some of the tinsel that you also like.
28
That is so kind of you, but I don't need anything until next season.
29
No more tricks this year.
30
Hmm.
31
But, you know, maybe just a bit of magic.
32
Incredible.
33
How did you know these were my favorite?
34
Thank you.
35
It's funny, with, uh, all this magic this year, I feel as if I've actually seen your show.
36
But, um, I didn't take the chance to go see.
37
Well, maybe one day you'll do me the honor.
38
And as I said, seat 11B will always be yours.
39
You won't believe this, but, uh, once I did decide to go, and I was near the club before the show. and...
40
And then I found myself...
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Too busy...
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Right back here...
43
Tricks.
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...at the counter.
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Um...
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Mr. Gr...
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I mean, John.
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We're about to close.
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So I thought... So, yes.
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I...
51
I have a present here.
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If you could please wrap it for me.
53
Yes, of course.
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Absolutely.
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It's beautiful.
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It is.
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A family heirloom.
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I thought you'd appreciate it.
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I do.
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It seems a shame to wrap it.
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Maybe the box is enough.
62
Oh, I'm pretty sure we'd need it.
63
That's why we're here.
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Yes.
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Well, let's get started then.
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Dear guests, our store is now closed.
67
We look forward to seeing you another day in Wonder Mart.
68
Uh, what kind of paper do you prefer?
69
I fully refer to your taste.
70
Oh, no, no, no. The responsibility is too big.
71
Not for you, I'm sure.
72
Well, uh, at least you could tell me what's the occasion or who the gift is for.
73
My friend.
74
You know, just a close friend.
75
Oh.
76
Lovely.
77
Would you excuse me just one moment?
78
damn tinsel maybe i should oh no no no mr grimm uh it's fine it's just that's what you get
79
when you stay too long at the counter um let's see uh what do we have here um
80
french red ruby red russian red or burgundy french red it's nice
81
Perhaps a little naive.
82
Oh, I'm afraid you've got me wrong.
83
Would you prefer burgundy?
84
No, it's just...
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me and her, we just...
86
Fit together perfectly.
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You know, we actually met a year ago.
88
The last thing I need?
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On this very day, in this very store.
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There we are.
91
All done.
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Right here.
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John.
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Apologies.
95
I...
96
I have to take this.
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Hello, my bunny.
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I'll be home soon.
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Very soon.
100
And I have something special for you.
101
Okay.
102
Okay.
103
You too.
104
Thank you.
105
It's wonderful.
106
Sorry for all this.
107
Do you need a paper bag?
108
I'm an idiot.
109
I need a paper bag.
110
Happy anniversary, Ms. Amberson.
111
Let's get started.
112
Thank you.
113
Thank you.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Короткометражный фильм «Подарок» (The Gift) c Умой Турман (Uma Thurman) в главной роли”. This video has 113 sentences and 596 words to shadow. The speech runs for 7:49. The speaker talks slowly, about 76 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| trick noun | /ˈtɹɪk/ | Something designed to fool, dupe, outsmart, mislead or swindle. |
| wrap verb | /ɹæp/ | To enclose (an object) completely in any flexible, thin material such as fabric or paper. |
| refer verb | /ɹɪˈfɜː/ | To direct the attention of (someone toward something). |
| occasion noun | /əˈkeɪ̯ʒən/ | A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance. |
| tear verb | /tɛɹ/ | To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate. |
| unfair adjective | /ʌnˈfɛɚ/ | Not just. |
| apology noun | /əˈpɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/ | An expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry). |
| rabbit noun | /ˈɹæbɪt/ | A mammal of most genera of the family Leporidae, with long ears, long hind legs and a short, fluffy tail. (Those of the larger kind are instead called hares) |
| ruby noun | /ˈɹuː.bi/ | A clear, deep, red variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone. |
| trim verb | /ˈtɹɪm/ | To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess. |
| bunny noun | /ˈbʌni/ | A rabbit, especially a juvenile one. |
| naive adjective | /naɪˈiv/ | Lacking worldly experience, wisdom, or judgement; unsophisticated. |
| burgundy noun | /ˈbɝ.ɡən.di/ | A dark red colour tinged with purple, like that of Burgundy (red) wine. |
| tinsel noun | /ˈtɪnsəl/ | A thin, shiny foil for ornamental purposes which is of a material made of metal or resembling metal; especially, narrow glittering strips of such a material… |
| heirloom noun | /ˈɛɚ.lum/ | A valued possession that has been passed down through the generations. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| fit together verb | To put the appropriate parts of (something) into a whole; to combine pieces that go together to create a finished object. |
| look forward to verb | To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure; to be excited or eager to. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- What can I do for you?
- How did you know these were my favorite?
- Would you excuse me just one moment?
- The last thing I need?
- Do you need a paper bag?
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 20 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, we're, didn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: occasion /əˈkeɪ̯ʒən/, shaver /ˈʃeɪvɚ/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like trick, wrap, refer.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.